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SDR STORE

The Amateurs Code

The original Amateur’s Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928. Although the code has been updated to reflect current realities, today ham radio operators take this code as seriously as their counterparts did in 1928.

The Amateur’s Code

The Radio Amateur is:

CONSIDERATE…never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

LOYAL…offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.

PROGRESSIVE…with knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operation above reproach.

FRIENDLY…slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.

BALANCED…radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.

PATRIOTIC…station and skill always ready for service to country and community.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Like a black-and-white movie, ham radio may evoke an image of how people
communicated in the old days. In fact, Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney,
who died this month at 93, starred in a classic film as a teenager in
which ham radio was a key plot device.
But ask someone in emergency management about ham radio, and you’ll
find that this medium of communication is anything but outdated. In
recent years, recognition of its importance has actually increased.
A case in point occurred in March 2008, when thousands of people were
attending the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament in downtown
Atlanta, and thousands more were at various venues nearby as a tornado
struck, cutting a path of destruction through the heart of Georgia’s
capital city.
Unbeknownst to many, a lone amateur radio operator, using only a
hand-held radio, called “CQ, CQ” — the ham radio code that signified he
was reaching out to whatever stations could hear him. He hoped to alert
any station on the air that he was located in the worst of the
storm-affected area and needed help.
Barry Kanne, an active ham radio operator, and an Amateur Radio
Emergency Service (ARES) volunteer, happened to be listening to the main
ham radio weather channel as the storm hit. He responded to the CQ
call. Immediately, an ad hoc emergency net between the two operators was
established. Soon other stations joined in to report storm damage. (READ MORE)